Don't miss your chance to learn from jazz guitarist Joseph Van Parys

The Ben Creighton Griffiths Trio are delighted to present a series of workshops on their mini tours across the UK, including this exciting jazz guitar workshop with Joseph Van Parys. This workshop has been organised with the much appreciated help of Stokesley based harpist Anita Aslin who will be helping on the day.

Enjoy this opportunity to step into the world of swing jazz and bebop on the guitar with Joseph. Students will learn about many aspects of improvisation, comping, and voice leading of this classic style of music. This workshop will be supported by Bass Player Benedict Stephens from the band. Previous experience in jazz/improvisation is not essential (though always helpful).

This class is suitable for all ages and players of all abilities and is open to both acoustic and electric guitar. It will take place downstairs in the Jack Brunton Room of Stokesley Town Hall from 4pm till 6:30pm and participants can arrive from 4pm. If you play another instrument but would like to take part, then please get in contact with us and we will try to get you involved. There will be harp workshops at the same time elsewhere in the venue.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please note that this ticket includes entry to the evening's concert in the Town Hall. You do not need to purchase a ticket for the evening concert if you hold a workshop ticket.

Joseph Van Parys

Joseph Van Parys is a guitarist from North Yorkshire with a passion for swinging jazz. He’s played in and around South Wales/England, becoming a well known jazz guitarist on the scene after completing his studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. His particular focus is on the swing era of jazz, and his creative soloing and sensitive accompaniment alike has been praised by audiences across the South of the UK. As well as performing regularly with his own ensembles and in other bands Joseph has a busy teaching schedule with students across all styles of guitar, though a particular focus on jazz.

Benedict Stephens

Benedict Stephens is an award winning bass player based in Cardiff, Wales. He began developing his style of bass playing from an early age playing in rock bands with his friends at school, and later realised a strong relationship with his electric bass allowing him to pursue his passion of performing jazz music.

Growing up in Manchester, his interest in music started with rock music, and he later progressed his interest in jazz and funk music during his studies at Cardiff University with local legends Huw Warren (pianist) and Jason Charles Rogers (bass player). During this time he would become heavily influenced by the likes of Esperanza Spalding, Christian McBride and Herbie Hancock.

Since graduating, Benedict has been performing regularly around the UK with his jazz band Yatra Quartet, funk group Calathea, rock band Up and Under, and function pop band The Laylads

Anita Aslin

Anita is one of the most accomplished harpists in the North East. She began learning the harp at the age of nine, with Dorothy Gilbertson (in Harrogate) and years later, went on to study at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Since graduating from College, Anita has played to Royalty, performed on stages with the London Gala Orchestra, international Opera Singers, has been on set with a television period drama and delighted many audiences with her solo playing. Her musical journey has taken her on many paths, from playing in St Paul's Cathedral ..... to strumming her strings over in Paraguay!

Find out more about Anita on her website here - http://www.harping-on.co.uk/ (http://www.harping-on.co.uk/)

Description supplied by the event organiser.